Tube-cleaner.



i F. W. LINAKER.

TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED mAn.a.1915.

L1 5 Qfi93 Patented Sept. 7, 1915..

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

OOOOOO\OOO\OOOOOO & 0000066000 oooq F. W. LINAKER.

TUBE CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED MAR.3'. I915- Patented Sept. T, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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FREDERICK W. LINAKER, OF DUBOIS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE VULCAN500T CLEANER CO. 01? PITTSBUBG, PA., DE DUBOIS, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA-TION OF NEW JERSEY.

TUBE-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FREDERICK W. LINA- KER, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at Dubois, in the county of Clearfeld and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTube-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tube cleaners and has special reference to afluid blast tube cleaner adapted particularly for cleaning tubes whichare set very closely together so that the fluid supply pipe isnecessarily of a small diameter.

In cleaning the tubes of boilers and other like elements where watertubes are employed and these tubes are set close together, muchdifiiculty has been heretofore experienced by reason of the fact thatsuflicient space does not obtain between the rows of water tubes topermit the installation and utilization of a fluid distributing pipe ofsufficient diameter to furnish enough cleaning agent under pressure toblow off the accumulation of soot from the tubes.

One object of the present invention is to provide means by which adistributing pipe of small diameter may be utilized for cleaning thetubes of such a boiler or like element.

A second object of the invention is to provide means for efficientlyutilizing a rela tively small number of distributing pipes in amultitubular boiler or like device.

'In cleaning the tubes of a water tube boiler or like device it isnecessary, in order to produce the most efficient results, that thedistributing pipe which extends between such tubes be provided withproperly formed jet nozzles, since mere openings in the pipe areinefficient for the purpose.

A third object of the invention is to provide means whereby adistributing pipe provided with such nozzles may be rotated so that theblast from these nozzles may be caused to cover a wide segment of thetube area while the distributing pipe may be positioned so that thenozzles will slip between the tubes as the distributing pipe is movedlongitudinally to place the nozzles in position to clean other tubes orother parts of the same tubes.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide means for locking thedistributing pipe against longitudinal movement when in cleaningposition and against rotative movement while being adjusted so that thechance of damaging either the tubes or nozzles when moving thedistributing pipe from one cleaning position to another is eliminated.

Difiiculty has been experienced heretofore in cleaning the upper partsof the tubes in such water tube boilers as have the tubes eX- tendingvertically and separated into a pinrality of sets by a vertical baffleextending upward from the bottom drum to a point below the top drum, theboilers being of or similar to the well known boiler designatedcommercially as the Wickes boiler.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement offluid pressure tube cleaner especially adapted for use in such a type ofboiler.

A sixth object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofdistributing nozzle for use in connection with such a tube cleaner.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists ingeneral of certain novel arrangements of parts, combinations ofelements, and specific details hereinafter fully described, illustratedin the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings," like characters of reference indicatelike parts in the several views, and Figure 1 is a vertical sectional'view through a vertical water tube boiler of the Wickes type showingthe invention applied thereto. -Fig.' 2 is an enlarged detail section online HH of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line IHHIof Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section, certain of the partsbeing broken away, on the line lVIV of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail planView of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4, the boiler being shown insection. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing a section of the boiler at thetop of the baiile in order to disclose the arrangement for cleaning theupper parts of the tubes. Fig. 7 is a section on line Vl[lVlI of Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is a detail end view of the exterior parts of such a device as isshown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a face view of a certain sleeve used inconnection with the cleaner. Fig. 10 is a detail elcvationof theoperating lever used with the cleaner.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is disclosed Patented Sept. 7, i915.

' a boiler or like'power Producing device having a casing and providedwith a fire-box 11. The boiler proper consists of a bottom water drum 12which is connected by vertical water tubes 13 to a steam drum 14. EX-

tending upward fromthe drum 1.2 between. the fire-box '11 and smoke flue15 is a vertimain supply pipe is indicated at l and is controlled by avalve 18. This supply 1s connected to an elbow 19 from which extends adrain 20.controlled by a valve 21 and communicating with a drain funnel22. EXT tending laterally from the elbow' 19 1s a pipe 23 which iscontrolled by a valve 24 and-is provided with a suitable automatic drain251 This ipe 23 communicates with a feed pipe 26 rom which extend branchpipes 27 controlled by valves 28. The lowermost of these branch pipes 27and the one immediately thereabove communicates with distributing pipesindicated in general at 29 in Fig. 1 and located on opposite sides ofthe baffle adjacent the drum 12.

While there has been shown only one branch pipe 27 between'the top andbottom of the baflie adjacent the'middle thereof, it will be obviousthat a plurality of such pipes may be provided and each of these pipescommunicates with a distributing pipe indicated in general at 30 inFig. 1. The uppermost branch pipe 27 communicates with a distributingpipe indicated in general at 31 Fig. 1 and located at the upper edge ofthe bafiie 16. p

All of the pipes 29'and 30 are similar in construction and theconstruction of these pipes is illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, and10, these figures also showing their connections with the branch pipes27. Each of the pipes 29 and 30 comprises an inner section indicated'at32, which inner section may be in one piece, or may consist of aplurality of lengthsconnected by suitable flanges 33.

These inner sections rest on bearing blocks 34 to prevent sagging andare provided with nozzles 35, said nozzles being preferably spaced atsuch distance as to skip one or more of the tube intervals as indicatedclearly in Fig. 4. Extending through the wall of the tubular casing is atubular member. 36 having a flange 37 from which. projects downwardly anarm 38. This flange fits against the outer part of the wall of theboiler casing and to the downwardly extending arm 38'is secured abracket 39. Moreover, to this flange is secured a perforated plate 40through which extends the outer portion 41 of the distributing pipe,this outer portion being screw connected'to the inner portion 32 as at42. Preferably this outer portion is made of seamless drawn tubing. Onthe bracket 39 is supported an elongated casing 43 provided with astufling box 44 through which the pipe 41 is slidable and in which saidpipe is rotatable. This casing 43 is connected as at 45 with one of 'thepipes 27 and is also provided with an automatic air valve as indicatedat 46, the valve preferably being of the type disclosed in the patent toDe Los E. Hibner #984,919 and issued on the 21st day of February, 1911.Extending between the casing or head 43 and the plate 40 is a bar 47provided with spaced notches 48.

49 designates an operating lever which is formed integral with a hub 50fitted on and secured to the pipe 41. This operating lever is providedwith a segmental portion 51 having therein an arcuate slot 52 providedcentrally or at one side with a notch 53. The notch 53 is arranged inalinement with the nozzles 35.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5. In Fig. 4 the pipe 32 is shown inposition to clean certain of the surfaces of the tubes 13. It will beobvious that if steam be supplied through the pipe 27 it will flowthrough the pipes 41 and 32 and issue from the nozzles 35. Byoscillating the lever 49, which is permitted because the width of thebar 47 corresponds to the width of the slot 52, the nozzles are causedto move in arcs of circles and the issuing steam or other fluid jetsweeps across the tubes. It is not found possible in the case of closelyset water tubes to provide a nozzle for each steam space on account ofthe small diameter of the pipe 32. When it is wished to clean the spaceswhich are shown in Fig. 4, as not provided with nozzles, the lever 49 ismoved to vertical or other position as the case may be, whereupon, byreason of the notch 53, the lever 49 may be pushed toward the boileruntil the inner notch 48 coincides with the slot 52. These notches 48are spaced at a distance equal to the spaces between successive tubes sothat at, this time the nozcles 35 assume the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 4. lVhen in this position the lever 49 may be againoscillated and the unclean spaces cleaned.

It will be obvious that by a mere extension in length of the bar 47 andthe provision of suitably spaced notches 48 the nozzles 35 may be spacedfor any desired number of tube spaces.

In order to clean the upper parts of the tubes a somewhat differentprovision is made since it is not found convenient to place donble pipesat this point. In this case there 1s provided in the pipe 31 an innersection 54 which is provided between each pair of pipes with a shaped ortwo-way nozzle 55 having oppositely disposed outlets 56. This ataaea Ithe wall of the boiler casing and is prolit .vided exteriorly with aswivel joint 58 by means of which it is connected to the pipe 27, themoving part of the swivel joint being provided with a suitable operatinglever 59. In this case, it will be observed that when the lever. ismoved into one position, the pipe 27 being opened, one of the branchesof each nozzle 55 will point upward and clean the upper part of one setof tubes, while the other points downward and cleans the parts of theother set of tubes below the top of the bafie. W hen the position of thelever is changed the reverse will, of course, take place. It is thusseen that there has been provided a peculiarly eflicient device of thekind described and for the purpose specified. It is obvious that many'minor changes may be made in the form, and construction of thisinvention without departing from the material principles thereof. It isnot therefore desired to confine the invention to the exact form hereinshown and described, but it is wished to include all of such thatproperly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention,

39 what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent,is

1. In a tube cleaner, the combination with a vertical water tube boilerhaving spaced rows ofvertical tubes, of a revolublefluid distributingpipe mounted in the boiler setting and extending transversely of theboiler between two adjacent rows of tubes thereof and provided withdischarge nozzles, said pipe shiftable longitudinally to space thenozzles thereof in line with different spaces between the rows of boilertubes whereby each nozzle projects fluid into different spaces. 7

2. In a tube cleaner, the combination with a vertical water tube boilerhaving spaced rows of vertical tubes, of a revoluble fluid distributingpipe extending transversely of the boiler between two adjacent rows oftubes thereof and provided with discharge nozzles, said pipe shiftablelongitudinally to space the nozzles thereofin line with differentspaces" between the rows of boiler tubes, and means to hold the pipeagainst revolving during the longitudinal shifting thereo'fi 3. In atube cleaner, the combination with a vertical tube boiler having spacedrows of vertical tubes, of a plurality of revoluble fluid distributingpipes extending transversely of.the boiler at diflerent points in itsheight, each pipe provided with discharge nozzles less in number thanthe number of spaces between the rows of tubes, and each pipe shiftablelongitudinally independently of the other pipes to aline the nozzleswith spaces between difi'erent' rows of tubes, 2. fluid supply pipecommon to all the distributing pipes, andconnections between the fluidsupply pipe and the several distributing pipes; 1

4. In a tube'cleaner, the combination with a verticalstube boiler havingspaced rows of:

vertical tubes,- of a revoluble distributing a vertical tube boilerhaving spaced rows of,

vertical tubes, of a revoluble distributing pipe extending transverselyof the boiler between two adjacent rows of tubes and pro vided withdischarge nozzles, the nozzles being less in number than the number ofspaces between the rows of tubes and the pipe being shiftablelongitudinally to .space each nozzle opposite diflerent tube-spaces,means eXteriorly of the boiler for shifting the pipe, and means holdingthe pipe against revolving while being shifted.

6. In a tube cleaner, the combination with a vertical tube boiler havingspaced rows of vertical tubes, of a revoluble and longitudinallyshiftable distributing pipe extending transversely of the boiler betweentwo adjacent rows of tubes .and provided with discharge nozzles, ahollowhead eXteriorly' of the boiler into which the outer end of saidpipe telescopes, a fluid supply communicating with said head, andoperating means on the pipe between the head and boiler for revolvingthe pipe and also shift ing the same longitudinally.

7. In a tube cleaner, the combination with avertical tube boiler havingspaced rows of vertical tubes, of a revoluble and longitudinallyshiftable distributing pipe extending transversely of the boiler betweentwo adjacent rows of tubes and provided with discharge nozzles, a hollowhead exteriorly of the boiler into which the outer end of said pipetelescopes, a fluid supply communicating with said head, operating meanson the pipe between the head and boiler for revolving the. pipe and alsoshifting the same longitudinally, and means holding the pipe againstrevolving while being shlfted longi- "tudinally.

8. In a tube cleaner, the combinationwith a vertical tube boiler havingspaced rows of vertical tubes, of a revoluble distributing pipeextending transversely of the boiler between two ad acent rows of tubesand provided with discharge nozzles, a fluid supply, a connecting memberbetween. the pipe and ing transversely of the boiler between .two

adjacent rows of tubes and provided with discharge nozzles, said pipebeing shiftable 35 longitudinally to aline the discharge nozzles thereofwith different spaces between the rows of tubes, a connecting membervinto which the outer end of said pipe'telescopes', a fluid supplyconnected to said connecting go member, and means for shifting the pipeto bring the nozzlesin desired position without breaking thecommunication between the supply pipe and distributing pipe.

10. In a tube cleaner, the combination as with a vertical tube boilerhaving spaced rows of vertical tubes, of a distributing pipe mounted inthe boiler setting and extending Y transversely of the boiler betweentwo adjacent rows of tubes and provided with dis- 80 charge nozzles,said pipe being shiftable longitudinally to aline the discharge nozzlesthereof with different spaces between the rows of tub'es to eflectcleaning. of diiferent tubes by fluid discharged from each nozzle, 3 andmeans for shifting the pipe to position the nozzles opposite desiredspaces between the rows of tubes.

11. In a tube cleaner, the combination with a vertical tube boilerhaving spaced 4 rows of vertical tubes, of a distributing pipe extendingtransversely of the boiler between two adjacent rows of tubes andprovided with discharge nozzles, said pipe being shiftablelongitudinally to aline the discharge nozzles thereof with differentspaces between the rows of tubes, a fluid supply in communication withthe distributing pipe, and means for shifting the pipe to position thenozzles opposite desired spaces between the rows of tubes withoutinterrupting the communication between the distributing pipe and fluidsupply. I

12. In tube cleaner, a fluid distributing pipe having discharge nozzlesrotatablymounted in a boiler and shiftable on its longitudinal axis, ahollow head into which the outer end of said pipe telescopes, a lever onsaid pipe for shifting the same longitudinally and for rotating thepipe, and means 89 engaging the lever and' holding the pipe againstrotation during its longitudinal shifting.

13. The combination with a vertical water tube boiler; of a rotatabledistributing pipe 55 extending transversely of the boiler between rowsof tubes thereof and changeable in po sition to clean selective sets ofthe tubes of said boiler, a hollow head supported exteriorly of theboiler and into which the outer end of said pipe telescopes and withwhich it is in communication, a fluid supply communicating with saidhead, and means to prevent rotation of the cleaner element whilechanging the same from one position to another with respect to saidtubes. 7 5 14. The combination with a vertical water tube boiler; of acleaner element including an oscillatory distributing pipe extendingtransversely of the boiler between rows of tubes of the boiler andprovided with spaced ,jet nozzles, means to move said pipelongitudinally between the rows of tubes to position the nozzlesopposite difierent spaces between rows of tubes and to rotate the pipe,and means to prevent rotation of the disg tributing pipe duringlongitudinal movement thereof.

15. The combination, in a flue cleaner, of a head, a distributing pipetelescopically connected to said head and adapted to extend transverse apower producing element, nozzles on said distributing pipe, and means torotate said distributing pipe and telescope the same in and out of saidhead.

16. The combination, in a flue cleaner, of a head, a distributing pipetelescopically connected to said head and adapted to extend transverse apower producing element, nozzles on said distributing pipe, and means torotate said distributing pipe and telescope the same in and out of saidhead, said means being arranged to prevent rotation of the distributingpipe during longitudinal movement.

17. In combination, a power producing multitubular element, a fluidpressure supply head supported on said element, a distributing pipeprovided with spaced nozzles and arranged to telescope within saidsupply head and extending between the tubes of the power producingelement, a guide bar provided with spaced notches, an operating leverfixed to said pipe and provided with an arcuate slot concentric with thepipe and having less width than the body of the 115 guide bar andsubstantially of the same width as the guide bar at the notches thereof,said operating lever being further provided with a notch. extending fromsaid slot to permit longitudinal movement of the pipe and operatinglever with reference to the guide bar when the notch in the operatinglever is opposite a notch of the guide bar.

18. The combination with a power producing element having a verticallydisposed bafiie therein; of a rotatable distributing pipe extendingalong the upper end of said baflle, and nozzles carried by thedistributing pipe and having outlet branches extending in oppositedirections, the outlet branches nieaeaa limiting the rotary. movementthat may be imparted to the pipe.

19. The combination with a vertical multitubular power producing elementprovided With a vertically disposed bafile, of a rotatable distributingpipe extending across said element in line with the upper endof thebaffle, and T-shape nozzles on said distribut-' ing pipe between thespaces of the tubes of the element.

20. In a device of the kind described, a rotatable distributing pipe anda plurality of nozzles spaced along and communicating with saiddistributing pipe, each of said nozzles comprising a body portionextending in a substantially radial relation to the distributing pipeand oppositely directed outlet branches extending at right angles to thebody portion.

21. In a soot cleaner, in combination, a vertical multitubular boiler, arotatable'distributing pipe extending transversely of the tubes andshiftable in the plane of its longitudinal axis to diflerent operativepositions, and means to prevent the rotation of the p'pe while same isbeing shifted longitudinally.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK W. LINAKER-

